Lib Dems' 'fair and green' pledge

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The Liberal Democrats promised a "fair, green future" as they launched their campaign for the Welsh assembly election on 3 May.

They pledged guaranteed NHS service standards, a fund to help families go green and smaller class sizes.

Mike German, leader of the Lib Dems in the assembly, said the party would take action to deal with climate change and to give young people opportunities.

He also pledged to cut the voting age in council elections from 18 to 16.

The party is currently the smallest in the assembly chamber, with six Assembly Members, but said it expected to have more AMs after May.

The Lib Dems are also regarded as most likely to form a coalition with other parties, so their policies could well become part of the next assembly government's programme.

At the launch in the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, Mr German said there were 71 Lib Dem candidates at this election, more than ever before.

The more Welsh Liberal Democrats we can elect, the more influence we will have on the next assembly government Mike German, assembly Lib Dem leader

He said: "The more Welsh Liberal Democrats we can elect, the more influence we will have on the next assembly government, and the more of our policies we can deliver for Wales."

The party announced nine key pledges - three on the theme of fairness, three related to the environment and three to do with "the future".

They promised a guaranteed standard of service from the NHS for all, no top-up fees for students from Wales studying in Wales and to allow those aged 16 and 17 to vote in local government elections.

'Number-crunching'

The three environmental proposals were two targets and a cash fund.

The Lib Dems promised that 100% of Wales' electricity would be from renewable sources by 2050 and 60% of household waste would be recycled by 2011, the end of the next assembly term.

The multi-million pound "climate connect" fund would help families and communities to "go green".

The three policies for "the future" were a reduction in class sizes to 25 in primary schools, investment in school buildings to "create the best learning environment" and to "create sporting and cultural opportunities for young people".

Brecon and Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams, who is increasingly seen as Mr German's most likely successor, described the assembly election as a major opportunity for change.

"From May, the assembly will have new powers and new opportunities - now it just needs a new government", she said.

She added: "These policies will give our children the best start in life - with smaller class sizes, better classrooms, and more opportunities to develop healthy active lifestyles."

Mr German said the party was currently "number-crunching" the consequences of Chancellor Gordon Brown's Budget.

He said the Lib Dems expected to be able to reveal the cost of their plans when they unveiled their election manifesto "just after Easter".